LibGuides: Dakota Family History Research Guide: Newspapers

Newspapers

The Minnesota Historical Society holds the world's largest collection of Minnesota newspapers, with dates ranging from 1849 to the present day.

Past issues of most newspaper titles are available on microfilm in the MNHS library, but there is also digital access to select newspapers.

Use the links to the left to search for newspapers available at MNHS and to search within digitized newspaper collections.

Obituaries

The Minnesota Historical Society Library has microfilm copies of most newspapers published in Minnesota, arranged by city of publication.

You can check for obituaries if you have a date of death for the family member. For death dates between 1904 and 2001, check the online Death Certificates Index.

You can also have us search for your obituary for you for a fee by submitting an Obituary Research Request.

Suggested Newspapers

Dakota Friend (Dakota Tawaxitku)

A newspaper in both Dakota and English for November 30, 1850-August 31, 1852.

MNHS call number: microfilmed Newspaper Collection, filed under St. Paul.

Iapi Oaye (The Word Carrier)

A Dakota language newspaper published monthly in Santee, Nebraska, from the 1870s to 1930s. An English version was published, but with much less information about Dakota people. The Dakota version is a good source for obituaries and articles about Dakota people from Minnesota, South Dakota, and Nebraska.

MNHS call number: Microfiche 417

Iapi Oaye Vital Statistics, 1871-1939

Lists of baptisms, marriages, and deaths that appeared in the Dakota language newspaper, Iapi Oaye, between 1871 and 1939, transcribed and translated by Etta Perkins, Elizabeth Gutch, Pat Spears, and others. Also included is a list of Presbyterian and Congregational Dakota churches.

MNHS call number: Reading Room E 99 .S22 I27 2005.

Newspaper Links

Library Catalog-Newspapers
Search by city and title of newspaper (i.e. Granite Falls Tribune) or by the city and "newspapers" (i.e. Granite Falls newspapers).
Newspapers at MNHS
Search various historic newspapers for advertisements and articles about people, events, and activities.
Death Certificates in Minnesota People Records Search
Search Minnesota death certificates from 1908 to 2001, supplemented by death cards from 1904 to 1907.
Chronicling America
Access digital historic newspapers from MN and other states through this project by the Library of Congress.
Electronic Library of MN
MN residents can search online magazine, journal, newspaper, and encyclopedia articles and eBooks.
Obituary Research Request
Submit an obituary research request online to purchase obituary records from MNHS.